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1

My wedding was approaching, yet my partner of eight years remained unaware.

Recently, he'd been preoccupied with his new female assistant. They had an instant rapport and conversed constantly. For her birthday celebration, he even commissioned an elaborate ten-tier cake. During the festivities, they playfully smeared frosting everywhere, oblivious to my severe allergy.

After being rushed for medical treatment, I regained consciousness and consented to the matrimonial arrangement my family had suggested.

——

My mother acted swiftly. The moment I returned from the medical center and was about to use my access card, she inundated me with numerous wedding proposals to consider.

As I perused the options, her final message caught my attention.

[I've always known you and Lucas weren't meant to last. If he truly desired marriage, why would he delay for eight years? It's not too late to face reality. I've already prepared wedding arrangements for you.]

[The ceremony is in three days. Take your time packing. There's no need to hurry.]

Apparently, this was evident to everyone except me. I had been ensnared by Lucas' hollow promises, unable to move on.

With a sigh, I sent her a vocal message. "Mom, choose whichever you prefer. They all look fine to me. Let's keep the ceremony modest."

I didn't notice Lucas approaching from behind. Upon hearing the word "wedding," he exclaimed in astonishment, "Wedding? What wedding?"

As he attempted to glimpse my screen, I hastily concealed my phone. He reached out to seize it, but at that moment, his own phone began to ring.

The evening was so still that I could distinctly hear a distressed female voice on the other end.

"Lucas, I just went to fetch something downstairs, and I think someone is stalking me! I'm terrified. I've circled the block, but I can't shake them off!"

Lucas' demeanor shifted instantly, filled with worry.

"Celine, don't panic. Head to a well-lit area, there should be someone at the security post. Wait there, and I'll arrive shortly!"

He ended the call, the wedding discussion completely forgotten. Without hesitation, he left me standing there and hurried off into the darkness.

I maintained a perfectly composed expression.

After his departure, I phoned my aunt to bid farewell.

My parents had relocated for their careers a decade ago, and since then, I'd been residing with my aunt.

Lucas lived in the adjacent property, which is how we met. Later, when my aunt married and sold her house to move in with her spouse, I didn't want to impose on her new life, so I temporarily moved in with Lucas. I never imagined that "temporary" arrangement would last eight years.

When Aunt Mina learned of my impending marriage, she was taken aback. "Marriage? To Lucas? Well, that's good—it's been eight years, so I suppose it's time to settle down."

I pressed my lips together and clarified her misunderstanding. "No, it's an arranged marriage. I don't know the person."

She paused before slowly inquiring, "Are you certain about this? I believe Lucas genuinely cares for you; I just don't understand why he hasn't proposed. Perhaps I should speak with him?"

I gave a slight, detached smile.

"That's unnecessary. It wasn't really a relationship, to be honest. We never officially became a couple. It's just been this ambiguous situation for eight years. If I don't end it now, my youth will slip away entirely."

Aunt Mina was surprised to learn we'd cohabited for eight years without defining our relationship, so she didn't try to dissuade me further and expressed her support for my decision.

Before retiring for the night, I set a three-day countdown on my phone.

The following day, I asked my mother to send some local gifts as a token of appreciation to my aunt for her care over the past decade and as a farewell gesture.

That evening, a truck laden with packages finally arrived. I provided the driver with directions to my aunt's residence, but unexpectedly encountered Lucas downstairs.